Bookbinding machine



May 7, 1963 s. M. FOTIADES sooxsmnmc MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July27, 1959 INVENTOR Smwd BY; c.

ATTORNEY May 7, 1963 s. M. FOTIADES BOOKBINDING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed July 2'7, 1959 ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,088,142 BOUKBINDINGMACHINE Spyros M. Fotiarles, 99 Solouos St., Athens, Greece Filed July27, 1959, Ser. No. 829,782 1 Ciaim. (Cl. 11-1) This is acontinuation-in-part of my application for Automatic Book andSheet-Binding Machine, filed March 28, 1952, Serial Number 279,238,which issued as Patent Number 2,897,522, on August 4, 1959, and relatesto a machine and implements for binding together a stack of leaves orsheets to form a book. More particularly, improved slitting, gluing andleaf bending means are incorporated in a unitary machine.

It is a primary object of the invention to provide means for rapidlybinding together a stack of leaves into a book having a strong yethighly flexible back.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for slitting theback edge of a stack of leaves in such a manner as to form tongues whichare adapted to interlock the leaves at the back edge.

Still another object of the invention is to provide novel means forinserting glue between the loose portions of the adjacent leaves at theback edge of a stack.

The invention aims to glue the back edge of a stack of leaves togetherby separating the back edge of the leaves, inserting glue or otheradhesive therebetween, and bending the edges together thereafter.

The invention further aims to provide a binding for the back edge of astack of leaves in which overlapping tongues formed in said edge lockthe leaves together in such a manner that the back area is relativelyflatpnd the leaves of the resultant book may be opened to a rim.

form depth.

Still another object of the invention is to provide means for insertingglue under pressure between the back edges of a stack of leaves.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a rotary bindingimplement capable of slitting, bending and gluing the back edges of astack of leaves in a rapid, effective manner.

Accordingly, in an earlier method glue was applied between each leaf ofa stack by bending an unclarnped portion of the stack against a formingdevice, applying glue, and releasing the unclamped portion. This methodhad the disadvantage of requiring that each stack be flexed and thenexposed to a glue applying cylinder, with the alignment of the thusglued sheets or leaves being dependent on the extending andstraightening of the stack after release from said flexing. Further,each leaf was glued flatly against the adjacent leaf whereby the gluedback edge became a relatively rigid unit, and each leaf of the resultantbook would open only to the point to which glue had entered from theback edge. Thus, to open or turn an end leaf was a relatively simplematter, but to open the book at the center required all the leaveseither side thereof to bend at or above the point of entry of the gluesince the back was not flexible. Thus, the flexible characteristics of aquality book could not be achieved.

This invention aims to overcome the mentioned drawbacks and to provide abinding for the back edge of a stack of leaves wherein glue is insertedbetween loose snsauz Patented May 7, 1963 overlapping tongues formed insaid edge to permit the leaves to turn about the line formed by the baseof said tongues, and the back comprising said tongues to flex readily.

Still another object of the invention is to economically produce aquality book with single leaves as well as signatures in a singlecontinuous process.

Further objects and details of the invention will be apparent from thedescription given hereinafter. For purposes of illustration and to moreclearly describe the invention, reference is made to the drawings, inwhich:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view, partially cutaway, of the machineaccording to the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a binding implement or blade adaptedfor mounting in the machine;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view of the binding table of the machineshowing the triangular groove to receive a binding implement such asthat illustrated in FIGURE FIGURE 4 is a partial sectional view ofanother form of binding implement and the drive mechanism therefor;

FIGURE 4a is a section of the drive shaft taken at 411 in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 5 shows an end plate used to mount half-section elements of therotary implement in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 shows a different end plate for mounting implementhalf-sections directly on the square, hollow drive shafts;

FIGURE 7 is a partially broken-away side elevation of the half-sectionelement of the rotary implement which mounts directly on the square,hollow drive shaft, taken in the direction of the arrow 7 in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 8 is a partially broken-away side elevation of the half sectionof the rotary implement which is rotatably mounted on the square, hollowdrive shaft by means of a cylindrical adapter shaft, taken in thedirection of the arrow 8 in FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary side view taken at arrow 9 in FIGURE 4 showingone of the opposed, coacting rotary saws mounted on the square, hollowdrive shaft by means of a cylindrical adapter shaft;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary side view taken in the direction of eitherarrow 10 in FIGURE 4, showing another type of opposed, coacting, rotarysaw mounted directly on the square, hollow drive shaft;

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary side view taken in the direction of eitherarrow 11 in FIGURE 4, showing an opposed, coacting, rotary saw similarto that in FIGURE 9, but with the cutting angle of the teeth reversed asillustrated; 7

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary side view taken in the direction of arrow 12in FIGURE 4 showing an opposed, coacting, rotary saw similar to that inFIGURE 10 but with the cutting angle of the teeth reversed asillustrated;

FIGURE 13 is a cross-section taken at 13-13 in FIGURE 4 showing theseparable cylindrical adapter shaft;

FIGURE 14 shows a torn-away portion of the back edge of three adjacentleaves of a stack bound together by means of interlocking tongues formedtherein by the implement illustrated in FIGURE 2; and,

FIGURE 15 shows a torn-away portion of the back edge of a stack ofleaves bound together by means of overlapping tongues formed therein bythe implement illustrated in FIGURE 4.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGURE 1, the machine shown is similar,with certain minor changes and omissions, to that illustrated in FIGURE1 of the mentioned patent. Frame 20 has a bed frame or slideway 22 onwhich press plate 24 and backing plate 26 reciprocate under suitable,conventional power means (only partly illustrated) which rotate the diskcrank 28 bearing the crank pin 29 which in turn is connected to theconnecting rod 30. Iournalled within the remote end of the rod 30 is thewrist pin 32 which projects laterally from the base of press plate 24through slot 34. As the press plate 24 is drawn forward by theconnecting rod 30, drag rods 36 which are fixed to the hacking plate 26enter suitable bores 38 in the plate 24 as it advances against thebacking plate 26 to clamp a stack of leaves therebetween.

Suitably mounted in the bed frame 22 are binding implements which may beincorporated in a removable binding table 40 or otherwise conventionallyhoused within the frame 20. One or more blades 42 illustrated in FIGURES1 and 2 may be installed in triangular grooves 44 formed in the bindingtable 40 as shown in FIGURE 3. The base 46 of the blade 42 has twoopposed cutting elements 48 suitably secured thereto and a vertical duct50 which aligns with suitable vertical duct 52 in the binding table 40as illustrated in FIGURE 3. A resilient, deflecting element 54 extendsupwardly from the base 46 between the blades 48 and passes, togetherwith the blades 42 through the openings 56 in the matrix plates 58 and60 which cover a respective series of slots (not shown) in the bottom ofplates 24 and 26.

As the press assembly including the press plate 24 carries the back edgeof a stack of leaves to be bound across the binding table 4t) theleading converging edges 62 of the opposed cutting elements 43 piercethe back edges and thereupon make uniform incisions which form tongueshaving a narrow base portion proximate the termini of said incisionsparallel to the back edge, and a wide portion at the back edge, asillustrated in FIGURE 14. It is apparent that only that portion of theelements 48 extending beyond the base 46- protrude above the table 40,and that the two upper edges of the elements 48 are inclined :towardeach other in parallel relationship as illustrated in FIGURE 2. When theblades 42 are installed in position in the binding table 40, a reservoir64 (FIGURE 1) supplies glue through suitable conduits (not shown) to thevertical ducts 52 (FIGURE 3) and thence to ducts 50 (FIGURE 2) and theupper surface of the base 46.

During the cutting process described, although there is a tendency forthe resultant tongues to be deflected in the direction of relativemotion of the blades 42 due to cutting pressure and the requiredthickness of the elements 48. Nevertheless, the edge of each tongueremains relatively proximate the back edge whereupon the glue on the topsurface of the base 46 is applied to these edges. As shown in FIGURE 2,the upper surface of the base 46 slopes upwardly toward the rear andacts as a glue applicator with the distance of the duct 50 toward thefront determining the effective area of application. Immediately afterthe cutting and :glue application the tongues are deflected anddepressed toward their base by the resilient deflecting element 54 whichalso serves as a spatula to further spread glue progressively againstthe tongues. It follows therefore that glue applied by the upper surfaceof the base 46 against the edges and the portions of the tongues exposedby the cutting is spread by the following portion of this upper surface;and, the bending action of said following portion and the element 54force glue between the tongues as they are bent and therefore spreadalong the direction of relative motion of the blades 42.

Another phenomenon of the bending of the tongues is the interlocking ofthe wide portion of each tongue with the loose edges outlining the areaoccupied by the relatively narrow portions of the tongues in theadjacent leaves before the displacement thereof by bending. Further,although the leading converging edges 62 may have different heights, itis preferred that they extend the same distance from the table 40 whenmounted therein so that the termini of the incisions or cuts madethereby in each leaf are in alignment on a common axis parallel to theback edge of each leaf. Thus, any number of tongues formed in each leafby one or more similar blades 42 may be bent at said termini about thecommon axis formed thereby. Further, this common axis created in eachleaf is parallel to and lies in the same plane with the similar commonaxis created in the back edge of every other leaf in the stack.Consequently, this plane is parallel to the resultant flat, back edge ofthe bound stack. This not only permits each leaf of the book to open toa uniform depth along its intersection with said plane, but establishesan equal opening depth at said plane for all leaves in the book.

It is, therefore, apparent that the binding formed by the glued,interlocking tongues is not only strong, but is relatively flexible aswell since the tongues are bent across the back edge of the stacksubstantially in the mentioned plane in overlapping relationship andthus may more readily flex to permit opening of the stack or book at theunbound edge opposite the back theref. The degree of flexibility would,of course, be affected by the particular type of glue or other adhesiveused. Further, the interlocking tongues could effectively bind the stacktogether even without the use of an adhesive, although this use ispreferred.

Referring to FIGURE 4, a second form of binding implement utilizing someof the principles of the first implement (blade 42) is disclosed withthe driving apparatus therefor as it would be suitably mounted in theframe 20 of the machine. Pulley 66 is fixed to hollow, drive shaft 68and is rotated by suitable driving apparatus (not shown) at the requiredspeed and power. That portion of the shaft 68 within the frame 20 ateither end of the complete implement, as well as the pulley 66 is round,although the remainder is square as shown in section in FIGURE 4a. Forpurposes of explanation, it is assumed that thedirection of rotation isclockwise, taken in the direction from left to right as indicated by thecircular arrow at the left. Immediately within the frame 20 at eitherend of the shaft 68 (the right end of which is not shown) is a suitablespacer element 70 which confines a spring 72 which in turn urges thecomponent elements of the binding implement together in cooperatingengagement, along the shaft 68.

Briefly, as many sections as desired may comprise the completeimplement, although it is preferred that at least three completesections be included for the reasons given hereinbelow. Mating, rotarywheels or saws driven in opposite directions cut slits in the back of astack of leaves at spaced positions along the shaft 68, and rotary glueapplying elements between said positions are driven in alternatelyopposite directions to deflect the tongues formed by the slits, toproduce a book bound in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 15.

Rotary wheels or saws 74, in FIGURE 4 and also in FIGURE 10, have teeth76 inclined in the direction of rotation, and are mounted with thesquare, central aperture 73 onto the square, mating section of the shaft63 for clockwise rotation therewith. Rotary wheels or saws 80, alsoillustrated in FIGURE 12, are similar to saws 74 but have teeth 82inclined in the opposite direction so that when mounted with the square,central aperture 84 on the square, mating section of the shaft 68, theyalso rotate therewith in the clockwise direction. Rotary wheels or saws86', also illustrated in FIGURE 11, are provided with a round, centralaperture 88 for rotatable mounting onto the separable, cylindricaladapter shaft 99, which in turn is suitably connected about the shaft 68to rotate clockwise therewith, but permitting counterclockwise rotationof the saws 86. Teeth 92 of saws 86 are inclined in thecounter-clockwise direction of rotation. Rotary wheels or saws 94, alsoillustrated in FIG- URE 9, are similar to saws 86, but have teeth 96inclined in the opposite direction so that when rotatably mounted withthe round, central aperture 98 onto the separable, cylindrical adaptershaft 90, the teeth 96 cut into the counter-clockwise direction ofrotation.

Referring to FIGURES 4 and 7, rotary, deflecting and glue applyingelement 100 has a ridged or troughed periphery formed by the graduallysloping ridges 102 and the long, narrow channels or depressions 104, thebase of which have openings 106 connecting to the inner cavity 108. Theelement base 110 also has openings 112 which connect with openings 114in the shaft 68 through which glue is forced under pressure out onto thesurface of the ridges 102, as the element is rotated, for this purpose,a suitable rotatable fitting (not shown) is connected to the left end116 of the hollow, shaft 68 and therefrom through suitable glue conduits(not shown) to the reservoir 64 (FIGURE 1) or other suitable glue supplyunder pressure.

FIGURES 4 and 8 show a rotary, deflecting and glue applying element 118having a ridged or troughed periphery formed by the gradually slopingridges 120 and long, narrow channels or depressions 122, the base ofwhich have openings 124 connecting to the inner cavity 126. By means ofopenings 128 in the adapter shaft 90 which connect to openings 114 inthe shaft 68, glue is forced onto the surfaces of the ridges 120'.

Although the elements 100 and 118 in FIGURES 7 and 8, respectively, maybe solid cast cylinders, it is preferable that they be formed as halfsections of cylinders along a plane of the axis thereof, as illustrated,whereby the two sections of element 100 may be fit over the drive shaft68, and the two sections of element 118 may be fit over the adaptershaft 90. To hold the two half sections of the element 100 togetherabout the shaft 68, the disks 130 shown in FIGURES 4 and 6 are fit overeither end of the shaft and secured by screws or other suitable means toeach half. A further purpose of the disks 130 is to form the side wallsof the long, narrow channels or depressions 104 and thereby createtroughs. To hold the two half sections of the element 118 together aboutthe adapter shaft 90, the disks 132 shown in FIG- URES 4 and are fitover either end of the adapter shaft and secured by screws or othersuitable means to each half. In a manner similar to that of disks 130,the disks 132 form the side walls of the long, narrow channels ordepressions 122, and thereby create troughs.

Referring to FIGURE 4, the element 118 is rotated by the gears 134 whichare secured to and driven by the gear drive shaft 136. The pulley 138fixed to one end of shaft 136 is powered by suitable mechanical means(not shown) and rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed from left toright and indicated by the circular arrow at the left. This causes acounter-clockwise rotation of the element 118 to accomplish the bindingas described hereinafter.

Referring to the binding element illustrated in FIG- URE 4, it would bepossible, by assembling only the rotary, deflecting and glue applyingelement 100 thereon with the side wall forming disks 130 over either endof the drive shaft 68 to secure the half sections, as described earlier,to accomplish a binding action across the back edge of a stack of leavesas follows.

As the back edge of a stack of leaves is carried across the implement100 at a predetermined speed in the direction forward from left to rightin FIGURE 1, the ridges 102 travel at a greater speed in the samedirection at the tangent established by the point of contacttherebetween. For this purpose, suitable openings (not shown) areprovided in the matrix plates 58 and 60 to permit the several selectedelements of the implement in FIGURE 4 to pass thereth'rough into bindingengagement with the back edge of the stack of leaves held therebetween.Further, these elements are of such size, and the shafts 68 and 136 areso mounted either in the frame 20 as illustrated, or in the removablebinding table 40 (not illustrated), that the peripheries thereof contactand cross the path of the back edge of the stack of leaves for apredetermined depth of engagement therewith. Consequently, thesuccessive ridges 102 act to separate, glue and then bend forwardportions of the back edges of the several leaves comprising the engagedsection of the back edge of the stack as it moves forward across theridges. As the frontmost or top leaf contacts a rotating ridge 102, itis lifted thereby away from the immediately adjacent leaf therebehind,whereupon the following ridge 102 applies glue to the back side thereof.As the stack continues forward another ridge 182 lifts the immediatelyadjacent leaf and bends it forward against the top leaf, as stillanother ridge 102 applies glue to the back side of the adjacent leaf.This process is repeated for all of the leaves of the stack, and isfacilitated by increasing the speed of motion of the ridges 102 toinsure the lifting, gluing and subsequent bending of each leaf in thestack. While it is preferred that the back edge of the stack be slit tofacilitate this process, it is nevertheless possibe for a single elementto perform the described binding operation on the back edge of a stackof leaves, whereby glue is inserted betwen the leaves at the back edgesthereof.

By assembling only the element 118 on the shaft 68, a similar bindingaction would occur but in this instance, the direction of motion of theridges would be opposite to that of the stack at said tangent, wherebythe frontmost group of leaves would first be depressed to causeseparation thereof rather than first being lifted, and, thereafter glueapplied thereto by the following ridges 120, and, thereafter beredepressed and bent in the rearwardly direction by still otherfollowing ridges 120, whereby glue would be inserted between the leavesat the back edges thereof.

One or more of each of the elements 100 and 118, could be included inthe binding implement illustrated in FIGURE 4, although it is preferredthat they be alternately incorporated to bind the back edge of a stackin the manner illustrated in FIGURE 15. By adding the mating saws 74, 86and 80, 94, respectively, to the implement in FIGURE 4, the bindingaction of the elements 100 and 118 would be facilitated since freerectangular tongues would be formed by the resultant slits in the backedge of the leaves whereupon bending and gluing by the respective ridges102 and 120 would be more readily accomplished. Further, the resultanttongues would be bound in overlapping relationship as illustrated inFIGURE 15, and the bound book would open about the common axes formed bythe termini of the slits, in a similar manner as a book bound by theblades 42, with the same advantages described therefor, earlier. Theinterlocking provided by the tongues having a narrow portion remote fromthe back edge of the leaves when using the blades 42 would not of coursebe present with the implement of FIGURE 4, but would to a degree beaccomplished to effect interlocking of the back edge by the interferencebetween the edges of the rectangular tongues and the loose edgesoutlining the area occupied by the tongues in the adjacent leaves beforethe bending.

Many alterations and modifications of the structure shown and describedwill be apparent to those skilled in the art without departure from theessence and spirit of the invention which for that reason shall not belimited except by the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

In a machine for binding together a stack of leaves to form a book, awheel having a cavity along its periphery, at least one transverse Wallof said cavity extending across 7 said periphery at an angle to a planeperpendicular to the axis of rotation, said wheel being secured to ahollow power driven axle having ports therein leading to openings in onewall of said cavity, means to pump glue into said axle whereby as thewheel is brought into engagement with the back edge of said stack, saidtransverse wall will deflect the leaves at said edge causing :aseparation of the leaves whereby glue will be forced into saidseparation between the loose portions of the adjacent leaves at saidedge by centrifugal force and the successive transverse wall contact,means to move said stack of leaves and wheel into and out of engagementwith each other, and means to actuate said pump means during the periodof engagement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,009,908 La Fore Nov. 28, 1911 1,658,518 Davis Feb. 7, 1928 1,858,685Semon May 17, 1932 1,938,959 Grammer Dec. 12, 1933 1,973,375 FrazierSept. 11, 1934 2,771,852 Iles Nov. 27, 1956

